The Durango Affair - Brenda Jackson [27]
But eventually she would understand.
“However, if you prefer that we don’t share a bed at any time during our marriage, then I will abide by your wishes.” Even as he said those words, in his heart he intended that in time her wishes would become the same as his.
She smiled, appearing at ease with what he had said. “So I guess the only other thing we need to agree on is when the marriage will take place and where we’ll live afterward.”
He nodded. “Like I told you, I’m flexible as far as living arrangements but I think we should get married right away, considering you’re already almost two months along.”
Savannah did agree with the need to move forward with their marriage but she didn’t want him to have to take a leave of absence from his job because of her. It would be easier for her to move to Montana. She could do freelance work anywhere. He could only do his work as a ranger here.
“I think I’d rather live out here, if you don’t mind.”
That surprised him. A city girl in the mountains? “What about your job? I thought as a freelance photographer you traveled a lot, all over the country.”
“Yes, but being pregnant will slow my travels down a bit. Besides, I think I’ll be able to work something out with my boss, if my moving out here won’t be a problem with you.”
Durango shook his head, still bemused but pleased. “No, it won’t be and I think you’ll be able to adjust to the weather.”
“I think so, too.”
A feeling of happiness—one he wasn’t ready to analyze—coiled through him as he thought of getting married to the mother of his child. “So, when can we marry?”
Savannah shrugged. “I’ll let you make all the arrangements. Just tell me when and where you want me to show up.”
“And then afterward you’ll move in here with me?”
“Yes, and we’ll remain married until the baby is at least six months old, which is probably the time I’ll be going back to work. Is that time period okay with you?”
“Yes, that’s okay. And you still prefer a small wedding?”
“Yes, the smaller the better. Like I said, I don’t have a problem eloping to Vegas. A lot of hoopla isn’t necessary,” she said.
Durango smiled at her. “All right. Considering everything, omitting the hoopla is the least I can do.”
Later that day, while Savannah was taking a nap, Durango had a chance to sit down, unwind and think about her decision to marry him.
She understood, as he did, that short-term was short-term. They weren’t talking about “until death do us part” or any nonsense like that. They were talking about him being there during the months of her pregnancy, the delivery and the crucial bonding period with his son or daughter.
Hearing about his marriage would be a shocker to everyone since the family all knew he’d never intended to ever settle down. But the one thing he did know was that his mother would be elated. She had initiated a campaign to marry her sons off. Jared had been the first to go down in defeat and ever since she’d been eyeing him with gleaming hope in her eyes. It didn’t bother him that Sarah Westmoreland would enjoy the taste of victory, at least for a short while.
No matter how brief it would be, Durango wanted to make his marriage to Savannah special. He thought of a place they could elope to rather than Vegas. His brother Ian had recently sold his riverboat and was now the proud owner of a casino resort on Lake Tahoe. Durango hadn’t had a chance to check things out for himself, but he’d heard from his brothers and cousins that Ian’s place was pretty nice. Perhaps Lake Tahoe would be a classier destination for his and Savannah’s quickie wedding.
A smile touched the corners of his lips. He planned on sharing an elopement with Savannah that she wouldn’t forget.
Now that her decision had been made, Savannah had to tell someone about it. She would tell the one person with whom she shared all her secrets, her sister, Jessica.
She reached for her cell phone off the nightstand and quickly